Dinner & A Movie at the Galleria

Gayle Carter on February 3, 2023

Now open in the redeveloped Macy’s Wing: CMX CinéBistro (2001 International Drive, Suite 1700U)

The dine-in movie theater, which features a full bar and lounge, is located on the third floor of the mall’s redeveloped Macy’s wing.

CMX Cinemas announced on Instagram that its newest theater opened its doors for the first time last Friday (Jan. 27).

The 43,268-square-foot theater has over 800 reclining seats in eight screening rooms. Available in theaters and at the Stone Sports Bar in the lobby, the menu focuses on “rustic New American cuisine” prepared by formally trained chefs, CMX said in a press release.

“The thing that really sets our menu and concept apart from other theaters in the region is that we serve it in-theater while guests are sitting in a plush recliner, and we pair it with the latest projection and audio technology,” CMX CEO Patrick Ryan said. “We want to be able to check every box in terms of food, technology, comfort and amenities, because it’s when you put it all together that it adds up to an unbeatable experience.”

Dishes include blackened salmon with roasted garlic mash and butter sauce, artichoke cakes with Old Bay remoulade and Brazilian tomato slaw, a signature CMX Burger, and a crispy chicken bowl with jasmine rice. Standard movie theater concessions are also available, along with alcoholic and non-alcoholic milkshakes. Patrons planning to use the in-theater dining service need to arrive at least 30 minutes before their showtime, and except for films designated as “family-friendly,” showings after 8:30 p.m. are limited to people 21 and older.

Ticket prices vary based on the movie and time of day, from $8 for a weekday matinee of “80 for Brady” to $14.49 for a “prime time” showing of “Top Gun: Maverick” on Friday night. On Tuesdays, all tickets for adults and kids are just $5, according to a promotional sign outside the theater.

Yoga for Athletes Workshop

Gayle Carter on February 3, 2023

Saturday, March 4 at The McLean Community Center

This workshop focuses on enhancing strength and flexibility, improving balance, coordination and core stability along with building mental resilience in young athletes. The course helps athletes improve performance, reduce stress and prevent injury. It caters to all athletic levels (recreational, high school and pre-college and competitive) and all sports (field, court, track, gymnastics, etc.). The class specifically incorporates age-appropriate and sports-specific poses building flexibility in key muscles needed for optimum sport performance. Each participant will receive a specialized program to practice at home and extend to their on-the-field practices. The class enhances self-esteem and introduces specialized breathing techniques, explores the practices of mindfulness and visualization and builds body awareness for long-term injury prevention.

Contact registrar@mcleancenter.org to register. Spots fill up fast, so don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity.

Diversity Hiring Fair

Gayle Carter on January 24, 2023

Saturday, February 4 at The Potomac School in McLean

The Potomac School, East Ed, and the Association of Independent Schools of Greater Washington (AISGW) are proud to host the eleventh annual Diversity Hiring Fair to support employee diversity in the independent school sector. 

This hiring fair is an opportunity for candidates to meet with representatives from over 30 independent schools in the DMV area. Everyone is welcome to attend the fair. Registration is free for all candidates and one-on-one interviews will be conducted on site. InterestedReply

Stuff the Bus

Gayle Carter on January 13, 2023

Saturday, February 18 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Benefitting Share of McLean

McLean Giant

1454 Chain Bridge Road

McLean, VA 22101

For the full list of events, most requested items, and more information, visit the Stuff the Bus website.

Stuff the Bus began in 2011 in response to a critical need to help restock the shelves of local food pantries after the holidays. This collaborative program is a partnership between Fairfax County Government and local nonprofits. Now in its 12th year, Stuff the Bus continues to support food assistance efforts for families and households. Since inception, Stuff the Bus has collected more than 220 tons of food to feed people experiencing food insecurity in Fairfax County. 

How to Start a Business in Fairfax County

Gayle Carter on December 31, 2022

Entrepreneurship 101: Starting A Business in Fairfax County
The Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA) is offering a Free Interactive Workshop: Starting a Business in Fairfax County

Tuesday, January 10 from 7:30 a.m.- 11:30 a.m. Fairfax County Economic Development Authority, 1st Floor Conference Center, 8300 Boone Boulevard,

Register: TysonsReserve a Spot
The Fairfax County Economic Development Authority (FCEDA) is presenting a panel of small business experts for a free interactive workshop on how to start your business. In their Entrepreneurship 101: Starting A Business in Fairfax County event, FCEDA will provide you with informative step-by-step information sessions that will cover registering your business, permitting requirements, business feasibility and business plan basics, business certifications, financing options and government resources.



During this interactive workshop, you will hear from Ashley Chen about her entrepreneurial journey of founding and growing ActioNet, an IT integrator that supports operational needs across the Federal Government and private sector. Attendees will have the opportunity to network with the presenters and FCEDA staff. For more information, visit the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority website.

DMV Connect comes to McLean

Gayle Carter on December 19, 2022

DMV Connect is a service outreach program and serves Virginians who may not be able to travel to a DMV Customer Service Center. DMV Connect teams can process REAL ID (Driver’s/ID Card Services) as well as some other DMV transactions. For a list of available services, visit the DMV Connect website.



Tuesday, December 27 through Thursday, December 29 
9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
McLean Governmental Center
Community Room
1437 Balls Hill Road, McLean


By Appointment Only


An updated list of locations and dates for DMV’s Mobile Offices is available here. For For more information visit the Virginia DMV website.

FCPA grant approved for turf baseball field at Linway Terrace Park

Gayle Carter on December 19, 2022

At its meeting on June 28, the Fairfax County Park Authority board approved a $20,000 grant to the McLean Little League (MLL), which has proposed replacing the existing grass field at 6246 Linway Terrace with a synthetic turf field. Synthetic turf will “provide an even and consistent playing surface that is more forgiving of wet conditions,” the park authority said.


McLean Little League has committed to funding the remainder of the conversion, which will cost an estimated $1.2 million to $1.3 million. The grant, along with an initial $230,000 contribution from the little league, will cover the cost of design and permitting, according to the FCPA.



Linway Terrace Park is located at 6246 Linway Terrace, McLean, Virginia.




McLean Community Center Appoints a New Executive Director

Gayle Carter on December 19, 2022

Betsy May-Salazar is the new McLean Community Center Executive Director
Betsy May-Salazar has been appointed executive director of the McLean Community Center (MCC). Her appointment was approved by the MCC Board of Directors at their meeting on Wednesday, December 14. Her appointment is effective Tuesday, January 3. She succeeds MCC Acting Director Evan Braff. Most recently, May-Salazar served as senior vice president and chief operating officer of the National Building Museum. She has worked for the National Building Museum in various capacities since 1995. Click here to learn more.

NPR’s Student Podcast Challenge

Gayle Carter on December 19, 2022

Calling all Students

NPR’s Student Podcast Challenge will open for entries on Jan. 6, 2023 and close on April 28. The judges will choose winners in two categories: grades five through eight and grades nine through 12. Entries must be submitted by an educator or a student leader who is 18 years old or older. Read more here.

And for all the college podcasters out there? Not to worry – the College Podcast Challenge will be back for its third year, in the fall. Entries will open on Sept. 1, 2023 and close at the end of year on Dec. 31, 2023 to give students the entire fall academic term. And, as with last year’s, the college contest will award a $5,000 grand prize scholarship and $500 prizes to finalists.

One big change this year: the college contest will be open to students of all ages pursuing an associate’s or bachelor’s degree, as well as those who are set to graduate in 2023. This means that if you’re a college senior entering your final winter/spring term, you can still submit your work in the fall! College podcasters can enter your own work, without going through your school or professor, as long as you’re 18 years or older.

For the middle and high school contest opening in January – and for the college competition later in the year – our basic guidelines remain pretty much the same: Students can create a podcast about any topic they wish to explore. To give you an idea, we’ve listened to stories on everything from social media, tattoos to even tater tots. Some themes we’ve seen over and over include questions on race and identity and how young people do, or don’t, fit in. Your podcast can also be in many different formats: an interview, narrative story or even investigative reporting. You can do it by yourself or with your entire class.

One important rule to keep in mind is that the maximum length of your podcast is eight minutes, and longer entries will be disqualified.